Nectarine tree named ‘PACIFIC SWEET’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a nectarine tree,  Prunus persica,  and more particularly to a new and distinct variety broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree that requires about 500 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the latter half of June, with first picking on Jun. 19, 2005. The fruit is uniformly large in size, sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and full dark red in skin color. The present variety resulted as a second generation cross of ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine by an unnamed white flesh nectarine (unpatented).

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘PACIFIC SWEET’.

The present variety was planted in 1998 as an open pollinated seed of anunnamed white flesh nectarine (unpatented) tree, grown as a seedling onits own root in my greenhouse, and transplanted to a cultivated area ofmy experimental orchard at Bradford Farms near Le Grand, Calif. inMerced County (San Joaquin Valley). This unnamed seed parent was a firstgeneration gross of ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507)nectarine by another unnamed white flesh nectarine (unpatented).Subsequent to origination of the present variety of peach tree, Iasexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimentalorchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed grandparent, ‘Spring Bright’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine, by producing nectarines that arevery firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and full red in skin color,but is distinguished therefrom and by being larger in size, sub-acidicinstead of acidic in flavor, and maturing about five days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Ruby Sweet’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.9,963) nectarine, by producing nectarines that are very firm in texture,yellow in flesh color, full red in skin color, and sub-acidic in flavor,but is distinguished therefrom by requiring less chilling hours and byproducing fruit that is much larger in size.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present variety is characterized by a large size,vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree thatrequires about 500 chilling hours. The fruit matures under theecological conditions described in the latter half of June, with firstpicking on Jun. 19, 2005. The fruit is uniformly large in size,sub-acidic and sweet in flavor, nearly globose in shape, clingstone intype, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, and full dark red in skincolor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph exhibits four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, one fruitdivided transversely to the suture plane to reveal the flesh and stone,a tip shoot, and typical leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Jun. 22, 2005, on the original tree during itsseventh growing season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

Tree

-   Size: Large, reaching a height of 14′ [4.27 m.] and a spread of 10′    [3.05 m.] after seven growing seasons utilizing typical dormant    pruning.-   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and    fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus    top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown    on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes.-   Growth: Spreading and open.-   Form: Vase formed.-   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters.-   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central    California climatic conditions, which typically include extended    periods of heat.-   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and    requires regular irrigation.-   Production: Productive, thinning necessary.-   Fertility: Self-fertile.-   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed.-   Approximate chilling requirement: 500 hours.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Medium, with a maximum diameter of 4¼″ [108 mm.] after            the seventh growing season.        -   Texture.—Somewhat shaggy.        -   Bark color.—A Grayish brown [61. gy.Br] and Moderate brown            [58. m.Br.] variegation with Strong yellowish brown [74.            s.yBr] crevices present.        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 9. Color:            Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY]. Typical Size: ⅛″ [3.2 mm.] to            ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped to elongated.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Diameter of limb is 2⅞″ [73 mm.] measured 12″ above            the crotch, 1¾″ [44.5 mm.] measured 12″ above the secondary            fork.        -   Texture.—Smooth on 1st year wood, increasing roughness with            age.        -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st            Year Wood Underside: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG]. Older            Wood: Dark yellowish brown [78. d.yBr].        -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 50. Color:            Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Typical size: 1/32″ [0.8            mm.] to 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped to elongated.-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Medium. Average Length: 5¼″ [133 mm.]. Average width:            1⅝″ [41 mm.].        -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Form.—Elliptical.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.

    -   Base.—Acute, with an average base angle of 80 degrees.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].            Ventral Surface: Deep yellow green [118. deep YG].        -   Margin.—Finely serrate.        -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: ½″ [12.7 mm.]. Average Thickness:            1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green [117. s.YG].        -   Stipules.—Number: 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing tip.            Average Length: ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green            [116. brill.YG] turning Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr]            with maturity.        -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 6. Position: Both alternately and            oppositely positioned on both the petiole and base of blade.            Size: Medium. Form: Appear to be globose when young, but            take on a reniform shape with maturity. Color: Strong yellow            green [117. s.YG] on younger leaves turning Moderate reddish            brown [43. m.rBr] in the center with maturity.        -   Leaf buds.—Medium in size, pointed.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California            winters.        -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Length.—Typically ½″ [12.7 mm.] 1 week before bloom.        -   Form.—Not appressed.        -   Surface.—Pubescent.        -   Color.—Deep purplish pink [248. deep pPk].-   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,    typically thirty or more stamens, five sepals and petal locations    alternately positioned.    -   -   Type.—Showy, large.        -   Average flower diameter.—2″ [50.8 mm.].        -   Number of petals.—Usually five, no double blossoms observed.        -   Petal shape.—Circular.        -   Petal margin.—Mostly smooth.        -   Average petal diameter.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal base.—Irregularly rounded.        -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Light            purplish pink [249. l.pPk] toward the base.        -   Anther color.—Deep reddish orange [36. deep.rO] over Light            orange yellow [70. l.OY] centers at bloom onset.        -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].        -   Sepal color.—Dark purplish red [259. d.pR].        -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6 mm.].        -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [5 mm.].        -   Average pistil length.¾″ [19.1 mm.].        -   Average stamen length.— 11/16″ [17.5 mm.].        -   Fragrance.—Moderate.        -   Blooming period.—Somewhat early compared with other            varieties.        -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 17, 2005.        -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 25, 2005.        -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient            temperature.        -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 22, 2005.-   Date of first picking: Jun. 19, 2005.-   Date of last picking: Jun. 28, 2005.-   Size: Uniform, large.    -   -   Average diameter axially.—3″ [76 mm.].        -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2¾″ [70 mm.].        -   Average diameter across suture plane.—3⅛″ [79 mm.].        -   Typical weight.—8.6 ounces [244 grams].-   Form: Uniform, slightly asymmetrical, globose to slightly oblong.    -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Oval.        -   Axial view form.—Round with a characteristic hump showing on            one side of the suture.-   Suture: A shallow groove extending from the stem to just beyond the    apex with a slight depression just beyond the pistil point, sharper    near the apex and base.-   Ventral surface: Rounded, lipped throughout on both sides.-   Lips: Larger on one side, fairly equal near the apex.-   Cavity: Flaring, circular, slightly elongated in the suture plane,    suture showing on one side, Vivid yellow [82. v.Y] stem markings    typical.    -   -   Depth.— 7/16 [11.1 mm.].        -   Breadth.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].-   Base: Somewhat truncate, cordate if viewed parallel to the suture.-   Apex: Rounded.-   Pistil point: Mostly apical, short, 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] typical length.-   Stem: Medium.    -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].        -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].-   Skin:    -   -   Thickness.—Medium.        -   Surface.—Smooth.        -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.        -   Astringency.—Nonastringent.        -   Tendency to crack.—None observed.        -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Deep red [13.            deep R] background with Pale yellow [89. p.Y] freckling            toward the apex.-   Flesh:    -   -   Color.—Light yellow [86. l.Y] from the stone to skin with            the slightest Moderate red [15. m.R] flecking near the skin.        -   Surface of pit cavity.—Light yellow [86. l.Y] fibers            breaking when twisted from the stone.        -   Amygdalin.—Slight.        -   Juice.—Moderate.        -   Texture.—Firm, crisp.        -   Fibers.—Abundant, fine, tender.        -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier toward the apex.        -   Flavor.—Subacid and sweet, typically 16 to 18 brix.        -   Aroma.—Slight.        -   Eating quality.—Good.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone.-   Form: Oval.-   Hilum: Narrow, oval.-   Base: Straight.-   Apex: Acuminate, with an average tip length of 1/16″ [1.6 mm.] and    an average angle of 45 degrees.-   Sides: Mostly equal.-   Surface: Regularly furrowed throughout, ridged near the apex and    pitted from base to above center.-   Ridges: Jagged.-   External color of stone: Dark orange yellow [72. d.OY] when freshly    removed.-   Pit wall color when cracked: Moderate yellow [87. m.Y] when freshly    removed.-   Cavity surface color: Strong yellow [84. s.Y] with Moderate    yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] specking throughout.-   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.].-   Average width: 15/16″ [23.8 mm.].-   Average length: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.].-   Average breadth: ⅝″ [15.9 mm.].-   Tendency to split: Slight.-   Kernel:    -   -   Form.—Oval.        -   Skin color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] when freshly            removed.        -   Pellicle color.—Moderate yellow [87. m.Y].        -   Vein color.—Vivid yellow [82. v.Y].        -   Taste.—Extremely bitter.        -   Viable.—Yes.        -   Average width.—½″ [12.7 mm.].        -   Average length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].        -   Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping.-   Keeping quality: Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in good    condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°    Celsius].-   Shipping quality: Good.-   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted.-   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Ruby Sweet’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 9,963) nectarine, by producing nectarines that are veryfirm in texture, yellow in flesh color, full red in skin color, andsub-acidic in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by requiring lesschilling hours and by producing fruit that is much larger in size.